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July 9, 2014

Secretary of State Bennett Reminds Voters of Party Primary Runoff Election Next Tuesday

Secretary of State Jim Bennett reminds voters of the party primary runoff election that will be held on July 15th – next Tuesday. "We are only expecting about 5 percent of the voters to show up to the polls on Election Day next week. It is very important for voters to take every opportunity to cast a ballot and make their voice heard," Bennett stated. "Frequently one vote or a handful of votes can make a difference," he continued.

Bennett said that Friday, July 11th is the last day to request an absentee ballot for this election. "Many families are out of the county this summer with children being out of school. If you are a registered voter and will be out of your county and you are unable to cast a ballot at the polls, you are eligible to vote absentee," Bennett explained.
Absentee ballot information can be obtained by going to www.alabamavotes.gov where voters will find the applications to send to their county Absentee Election Manager.

Bennett also reminded voters about the photo voter ID requirement for this election. Starting with the statewide primary in June, all voters are required to have photo identification at the polls. "We want to make sure that every voter has their photo ID ready, or if they do not have one that will be acceptable at the polling place, that they can get one for free," said Bennett.

So far, the state has made nearly 3000 photo ID’s since the beginning of the program. To receive a free photo voter ID, a voter can visit their local Board of Registrars office or the Secretary of State’s office during their weekly hours of operation. There is no cut-off date to receive a photo voter ID card; a voter may receive one up to and on Election Day. If a voter does not have a photo ID by Election Day, he or she can vote a provisional ballot. If the voter obtains a photo ID by the Friday following the election, the vote can be counted if the voter takes the photo ID to the Board of Registrars by 5:00 PM on that Friday. A voter can also receive a free non-driver ID for purposes of voting at any office that issues non-driver ID cards. A voter can use any of the following forms of photo ID at the polls:

Valid Alabama Driver’s License

Valid Alabama Nondriver ID

Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID card

Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

Valid Federal issued ID

Valid US passport

Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County, Municipality, Board or other entity of this state

Valid student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)

Valid student or employee ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state

Valid Military ID

Valid Tribal ID

If a voter possesses any of these forms of photo ID, they are not eligible to receive a free Alabama photo voter ID card. The voter must bring one of these photo IDs to the polls on Election Day or place a copy of the photo ID in absentee ballot materials. No voter should ever be turned away for not having a photo ID. If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, the voter can vote a regular ballot if he or she is positively identified by two election officials or that voter can vote a provisional ballot. For more information on the process on how to receive a free photo voter ID, voters can call 1-800-274-VOTE or go to www.alabamavoterid.com.